A race where showing up is the message
Some start lines are built around a time goal. The Yellow Ribbon Run asks Singapore runners to carry something else too: a public show of support for people rebuilding their lives after incarceration, and for the families walking that road with them.
On Sunday, 20 September, the event will move into the city for the first time, with routes around the National Stadium and a finish at The Kallang. The setting is new, but the purpose remains the same: turn awareness of second chances into visible community action.
That makes this more than another September race slot. You can still chase a strong 10km, enjoy a social 5km or move with a child. The useful thing is to understand what your entry represents before you pin on the bib.
Pick the distance that fits your day
There are three ways to take part. The 10km is competitive and open to runners aged 14 and above. The 5km is non-competitive and open from age 10. The new 888m Parent-Child Run pairs an adult with a child aged four to 12 and can be completed at a comfortable walking pace.
At publication, the official site listed standard entry at S$55 for the 10km, S$45 for the 5km and S$50 for one Parent-Child pair. Groups of five can enter the same distance together for S$250 in the 10km or S$200 in the 5km. Participants under 18 need parental consent.
The registration pages were accepting entries on 29 August and the organiser says tickets are limited. Check the live page before making plans, then choose the distance you can enjoy rather than the one that simply looks best on a results screen.
Put the two September dates in your calendar
Race packs must be collected at Suntec City, Concourse Level 3, on 12 or 13 September between 11am and 8pm. Bring the confirmation email. If you cannot attend, the organiser says an authorised representative may collect for you.
Race morning starts at 7am with the 10km, followed by the 5km at 7:45am and the Parent-Child Run at 9:15am. Stage activities begin at 8am and the programme is scheduled to end at 11am, although the organiser notes that timings may change.
Treat those as the current official timings, not a reason to arrive at the last minute. Watch the organiser's page and your registered email for updates, especially because this is the first edition at the city venue.
The cause continues after race morning
The 2026 event includes a joint fundraising initiative for three members of the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders Network: Yellow Ribbon Cares, the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association and the Singapore After-Care Association.
Yellow Ribbon Cares is itself a recent development. Yellow Ribbon Singapore announced that the Yellow Ribbon Fund, ISCOS and NeuGen Fund would combine into the registered charity from 1 April 2026, bringing support for inmates, ex-offenders and their families under one organisation.
That distinction matters. Registering is a show of solidarity, while donations are a separate way to support the three organisations. The official FAQ links directly to each fundraising page, so runners can see where a contribution is going before giving.
Read the entry rules before you pay
A community-minded event still has firm entry rules. Individual places are non-transferable, fees are non-refundable, and the organiser does not allow a category change after registration. A group of five must also choose one shared distance.
For the Parent-Child Run, both the adult and child need valid entries under the paired category. For the longer races, choose with the minimum age, competitive format and your own preparation in mind.
This is the unglamorous part of entering well: read the current FAQ, spell the bib name carefully and make sure the race-pack weekend works. Five quiet minutes now can prevent a frustrating conversation in September.
Stay long enough to hear the story
The finish is not meant to be a quick medal collection and exit. The event carnival will include games, performances and a Journey of Desistance exhibition about rehabilitation, reintegration and the support systems behind a fresh start.
From 14 to 20 September, Kallang Wave Mall Atrium will also host a Yellow Ribbon Project exhibition and pop-up store. The official page lists baked goods, coffee and artworks created by inmates and desistors, with the stories behind the work forming part of the experience.
Run your race, but leave a little room around it. Read a story, visit a booth and listen. A second chance becomes real when a community does more than wear the colour for one morning.